British Airways allows US Exec Club members to upgrade from full fare economy/Club to the next class of service - no double upgrades allowed. I don't think that UK or Global members can do this. Since BA doesn't hand out upgrade certificates, this is the only way to be sure of an upgrade... all other upgrades are at the discretion of the BA employees one encounters.

somewhat OMNI: BA has a "necessity only" policy for upgrades from Club to First, but my sister tells me that she has struck gold the last two times she flew with them, and may find it hard to go back to life in Club

To complete the picture on US, Canada is treated as domestic, and Mexico the same as the Caribbean.

UA has two different ways:
in "Y" or "B" it is less miles (i.e. 10.000 each way int'l) upgrading to bus
in all other coach (except the very cheap, where no ugrade is possible anyway) you have to double the miles you give in

same is for domestic

UA has two different ways:
in "Y" or "B" it is less miles (i.e. 10.000 each way int'l) upgrading to bus
in all other coach (except the very cheap, where no ugrade is possible anyway) you have to double the miles you give in. In any case you'll get upgreded to First on the domestic portion of your flight on two class aircraft

same is for domestic

same is for LH if you give in your U A -M P m i l e s

and same is for

one addition to Celestar on Lufthansa: also from business to first on any fare possible.

Premex,
It's interesting that UAL told you people rarely use the paper certificates to upgrade. I use them because I usually book through my travel agent and the only way I can use him and upgrade is to use the paper certs - at least that is what UAL has been telling me. Do you have any different experience?

Larrude, that could be an option if booking through a Travel Agent. But your TA can request the upgrade electonically using miles from your account as well. You shouldn't need a certificate. This was just confimed to me by United Reservations just now.

Just so you understand how the process works (for both TAs and individuals): You don't really book your upgraded class at the time of your reservation. Your ticket must be booked in Coach first. After it is booked in Coach, then it is upgraded.

On electronic tickets, you TA books you in Coach and then calls United on the phone for the upgrade and automatic deduction from your account.

On a paper ticket, they issue the paper ticket in Coach and then call United on the phone for the upgrade and automatic deduction from your account. You still have a Coach paper ticket in your hand and you may or may not have something that says you have a First seat, but in United's reservation system you do. But most TAs can issue an itineray indicating the upgraded class of service.

Most people call to see if upgraded space is available on a specific flight before booking the Coach fare and then immediatly upgrading after that. This is what the United res agent is actually doing, even though on the phone it may seem like they are doing just one transaction.


[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 09-14-1999).]

Premex, The last time that I did this, I was told by UA that THE ONLY way to do this through my travel agent was to use paper certificates. What you said makes sense, and I will try it when I book some tickets for next autumn.
I always leave my travel agents affice and go to the airport or city ticket office and get my tickets reissued with the new class and seats.

Larry